anyone doing 20 g batches w/cooler mlt?

[mandoman]

So I've been considering a gravity fed 3 tier system using direct fired hlt and bk with a giant (150 gallon) cooler mlt. I know the sizes can handle it. I'm familiar with the system as it's essentially what I (and many of us) use for ten gallon batches with keggles. It would require a stand or stands for the hlt up high and the bk down low but the mlt could go on a permanant wood shelf or other. I guess (?) a ladder type 'stand/sculpture' would best support the weight.

Anyway, any one try this or do this? Any suggestions to problems I might have scaling up?

I've priced the coolers, $100 retail and build a copper manifold plus ball valve. Not bad compared to a similar sized brewpot and burner.

cb

 

[wilserbrewer]

I have seen pics of people using a poly 30 or 50 gallon drum, I forget who actually used a rubbermaid brute food grade "trash can" sometimes wrapped w/ insulation. As I understand it, the larger the mash tun and the more grain, the insulation becomes less of a factor?

If you look around you could probably score a large hdpe drum for free. I can't see that much grist cooling that quickly.

150 gallon! 5 barrels, that's a damn big cooler, yea it's early...perhaps quart?

 

[FSR402]

Yeah I think you mean 150qt not gallons.
I use an 80qt and a 55 gallon for my MLT's.
You had better have a bigass boil kettle.
55 gallon

20 gallon

 

[mandoman]

yeah, its 37 gallons. thanks for the links to your 55 and 20 gallon systems - that's what I'm talking about exactly.